The Multiple Sclerosis Society has agreed to allow more time for options
to keep open the Orcombeleigh Care Hotel in Exmouth to be considered. The
closure of the Kenninghall MS Care Hotel in Worthing has been confirmed
for the end of November.

This follows an extraordinary meeting of the Society's board of trustees
on 19 July at which proposals to keep Orcombeleigh open were outlined by
a volunteers' group led by Michael Willis, the Society's president.

Mike O'Donovan, chief executive of the Society, said, "The board has
agreed to ask care providers, including the Devon Community Housing Society,
to submit tenders for the purchase of Orcombeleigh, with a continuing service
which can offer respite care to people with MS with high dependency needs."
The board will make a final decision at its October meeting.

Michael Willis said, "We welcomed the opportunity to discuss our ideas
and are pleased to have time to develop them. We are also delighted that
the Devon Community Housing Society is among those invited to tender for
the purchase and future management of Orcombeleigh."

Mr O'Donovan said tenders would also be invited for Kenninghall. Commenting
on the closure decision there, he said, "The board of trustees fully understands
the disappointment guests who have stayed there will feel and expresses
its sincere appreciation for the dedication shown by staff, volunteers
and supporters. It has reaffirmed its commitment to direct operational
savings and proceeds from the sale of Kenninghall to the benefit of these
most severely affected by MS and the wider MS community."